The Autumn 2013 Newsletter from St. Weonards & District Branch of the Royal British Legion

Once again the Legion year seems to have passed very quickly. The Poppy Appeal was launched on 26th October and our enthusiastic collectors have been making the annual visit to households in the district. Despite its relatively small population and rural character, maintains a high per capita rating for the amount collected during the Poppy Appeal. Following the 2012 Appeal Herefordshire had the second highest per capita rating in the Country. This is an excellent result and we hope to beat our own record this year! Many of you will be aware of The Centenary Poppy Campaign, a national initiative of the Royal British Legion, to see the covered in real Flanders poppies during August 2014 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. Seeds are still available via the website http://realpoppy.co.uk or from B&Q. All profits go to the Poppy Appeal. July saw the official opening of the Military Charities Help Desk situated in Herefordshire Council’s customer service centre in Franklin House. It is open from 11am to 3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The helpdesk, which is a joint initiative between the Herefordshire Armed Forces Community Covenant Task Group, The Royal British Legion and SSAFA, will provide free support and advice for ex-military personnel. Volunteer case workers from The Royal British Legion (Thursdays) and SSAFA (Tuesdays) will be on hand to offer advice on a range of issues such as welfare and benefits and will be able to direct veterans and their families to other organisations for additional help and support. At the annual Poppy Sellers’ Tea, held at ‘Pentywn’ by kind invitation of Mr and Mrs Bob Leeson, the County Chairman Maj. Alan Harrhy presented ‘long service’ awards to Ms Jackie Smith (40 year Bar), Mr Roy Strange (10 year Certificate) and Miss Sian Williams (5 year Certificate). Congratulations to all three for their dedication and hard work. Earlier in the year we welcomed the Reverend Mark Hayter as a member of the Branch and we were delighted when Mark agreed to become our Branch padre. Later in the year Branch members were in Cathedral for the Rev Hayter’s Ordination. Looking ahead, 2014 will be an important year for the Royal British Legion as we prepare for National and local events to Commemorate the outbreak of the Great War. Centenary events will occur over a rolling 4- year period including the Suvla Bay Landings (2015), the (2016) and Armistice Day in 2018. It is also likely that the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo will be commemorated in 2016. Do keep an eye on the website www.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/st-weonards and in the Magazines where details of local events will be published nearer the time. In your thoughts and prayers please remember those men and women who serve in our Armed Forces at home and abroad and for the families of those who have lost their lives or suffered injury as a result. The Editor

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The poem I have chosen for this edition is by Lieutenant Colonel John Alexander McCrae, MD and is one of the most memorable poems of The Great War. It was written in May 1915 during the 2nd Battle of Ypres when McCrae was a field surgeon in the Canadian Artillery and in charge of a field hospital.

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

The Presidents Piece (From the AGM)

Once again October has come around and one more AGM for the Branch. Personally it has been a difficult year, but under the Chairman and an active Committee the Branch has flourished. However, we do need new members to build on our strengths and activities. Angus has proved to be a First Class Chairman, supported of course by Regina who deserves our thanks and support. Bea has brought new skills and standards to her part as Honorary Secretary. Thank you Bea for introducing a fresh look at our ‘modus operandi’. Sue, as always, keeps a watchful eye on our funds. Thank you Sue! Bob our Poppy Appeal Organiser puts in considerable time and effort into getting our total up each year despite the difficulties. Roy, our Standard Bearer and Welfare Officer is extremely busy and puts in many hours dealing with the Ex-Service folk and their problems. My thanks to all of you for your efforts on behalf of the Branch. Barbara and Bob Leeson are our eyes and ears on the County Committee and keep us ‘up to date’ on events. The members who have joined us during the last couple of years have ‘settled in’ well and we are grateful for your input. Without new members our Branch cannot grow. It is now 24-25 years since I joined the Branch, during which time I have filled every post bar one, on the Committee, plus a spell on the County Committee, and it has been a great time. I am no longer a young man and the time has come for me to take a back seat and hand over to a younger person. Peter Davies

The Chairman’s Statement (From the AGM) This being my first report as Chairman I am duly indebted to all Branch Officers and Committee Members for their sterling support over the past twelve months. It is comforting to witness the professional way they have encompassed their duties. I attended a Branch Management Training Course at on 9th and 10th February 2013. It was reassuring how well the Branch had been run and organised past and present. I must pay due respect to our President Peter Davies on the way he fulfilled his duties to the Branch under very difficult circumstances. Peter we salute you.

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Our Annual Dinner went with its usual swing thanks to Bea our Secretary. Our Speaker was Margaret Kelly who as an 18 year old was a member of the “Enigma” Code breaking team at Bletchley Park. It was a very interesting talk. We also welcomed our new Padre in the shape of the Rev Mark Hayter who is settling in very well. Mark was ordained in Hereford Cathedral on Saturday 28th September 2013. Four members of our Branch attended. Turning to the Roll of Honour, we said ‘Goodbye’ to Mrs J Gilbert, Mr George Holley, Mr Stan Woodward and our President’s wife. There was a significant presence from Branch. The County Rally at Fownhope was attended by Roy Strange, Regina Brymer and yours truly. It was a very good turnout and an excellent Service. August created another Fun Day at Garway, where to the delight of our Treasurer we showed a profit for the benefit of the Branch. The usual team of experts were on hand; Helen and Roy provided the technical expertise and knowhow necessary for erecting the gazebos, Bea Tea and Coffee, Sue sponges and sandwiches and Regina filled rolls. Mike provided the MT services for collecting and returning the County gazebo to Suvla Barracks and Peter and Angus demonstrated their combined expertise at scoffing rolls and sandwiches. Finally, but very importantly, the Branch is very proud to have in its ranks Peter Harness who has received his long overdue Arctic Star medal awarded in recognition of service in the Arctic convoys of the Second World War and presented by the Prime Minister, The Right Honourable MP at No. 10 Downing Street. Angus Brymer

The Secretary’s Statement (From the AGM)

I have reached the end of my first year as Secretary and it has been both interesting and rewarding. Of all the times to start a new ‘job’, this is possibly the busiest time in the RBL calendar. With the annual launch of the Poppy Appeal only weeks away, I vividly recall the ‘baptism of fire’ immediately following last year’s AGM. However, I appear to have survived and happily am still standing. We have enjoyed a busy year of Branch activities. The Poppy Sellers’ Tea was very well attended and a number of ‘long service’ awards were presented to our intrepid Poppy Sellers by the County Chairman. Just before Christmas we gathered in The Moon Inn at Garway for our Christmas Draw held in conjunction with the Carol Service and afterwards enjoyed a very nice dinner. The Annual Branch Dinner in March was held at The Pilgrim Hotel and our guest speaker, Mrs Margaret Kelly gave a most interesting account of her wartime activities at Bletchley Park. We finished the year, in social terms, by running a Bottle Stall at the Garway Fun Day in aid of Branch funds. We ended the day with dinner at the Harewood End pub. We were successful in this year’s ballot and obtained 3 pairs of tickets for Branch Members to attend the Festival of Remembrance at The . Finally a big ‘thank you’ to the Chairman, Officers and Branch Members for your support throughout the year and for making me so welcome. If you have an email address and wish to receive Branch communications this way please let me know. [email protected] Bea Morris

A Message from the PAO Once again, my grateful thanks go to all the poppy collectors for their gallant efforts in raising £2,703.12 for the 2012 Poppy Appeal. This is a slight increase on last year’s total so well done everyone. Herefordshire was in second place per capita for the overall amount collected, beaten only by the Isle of Man. Boxes and wreaths are now available for collection ready for the Poppy Appeal launch on October 26th. 3

I have enjoyed my time as Poppy Appeal Organiser on behalf of the Branch but I shall be standing down after this year. I very much hope that another volunteer will be found within the Branch Membership. Meanwhile I will inform the County PAO of my intention to relinquish the position. Bob Leeson

The Annual General Meeting The Branch AGM was held at The Black Swan, Much Dewchurch on 1st October 2013. Thirteen members attended and five others gave their apologies. As in previous years attendance at the AGM was still only attended by about one third of the membership. As the AGM is the most important meeting of the year it is regrettable that turnout remains relatively low. Branch meetings will continue to be held on the first Tuesday of the month at the Black Swan and on occasions at ‘The Stars’ by kind invitation of Mr & Mrs Angus Brymer. Thanks to Gill and the team at the Black Swan for the use of their Function Room. Following the AGM the list of Branch Officers remains unchanged.

The County Conference

The Annual Meeting of the County Conference will be held in Hereford Town Hall on Saturday 18th January 2014 commencing at 2.30pm.

In Memoriam

It is with sadness that we record the loss of Branch Members Mrs Jo Gilbert and Mr Stan Woodward, former Branch Member Mr George Holley and Anne, wife of our Branch President Mr Peter Davies.

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St. Weonards Branch, list of elected Officers and other appointments for 2013- 2014

President: Mr P A Davies Chairman: Mr A Brymer Vice Chairman: Mr R J Leeson Treasurer: Mrs S Harness Secretary: Miss B S Morris

Executive Committee: All Branch Officers

Service Committee:

Chairman: Vacant Standard Bearer: Mr G R Strange Deputy Standard Bearer: Vacant Poppy Appeal Organiser: Mr R J Leeson Hospital Visitors: Mr & Mrs R J Leeson Branch Delegate to County Conference: Mr A F Brymer

Local Branch Representatives:

St Weonards & : Mr. P A Davies, Mr & Mrs A F Brymer Garway: Mr. G E Nicholls, Mr G R Strange Llangrove & Llangarron: Mr R J Leeson Skenfrith: Mr G R Strange Welsh Newton: Mr R J Leeson & : Mr & Mrs P Harness Whitchurch: Mr F G A Benbow

Venues 2013/2014

November 5th The Stars December 2nd The Black Swan January No meeting February 4th The Stars March 4th The Black Swan April 1st The Stars May 6th The Black Swan June 3rd The Stars July 1st The Black Swan August No meeting September 2nd The Stars October 7th AGM Black Swan November 4th The Stars December 2nd The Black Swan

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REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICES

MAIN SERVICE 10:50 at the War Memorial

MEMORIAL SERVICES Welsh Newton 09:15 Llangrove 09.30 (followed by a Church Service) Whitchurch 15.15 (followed by a Church Service at 15.30) Orcop 16:00 Llangarron 18:00 A wreath will be laid at Llangarron during Evensong.

Editor Bea Morris October 2013 [email protected] Tel: 07932 068363

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